Fowler unawed by big stage

It's never been done. In 74 Masters Tournaments, not a single champion earned his first career victory at Augusta National Golf Club.

Five pros have a chance to make history in the 2011 Masters. Five pros -- Steve Marino, Ricky Barnes, Kevin Streelman, Jeff Overton and Rickie Fowler -- qualified for a spot at Augusta National despite never winning on any recognized world tour.

Fowler, the youngest of the bunch at 22, is the highest ranked nonwinner in the world at No. 30. He reached Augusta so fast he hasn't had time to think it far-fetched to don a green jacket before he ever qualifies for a tournament of champions.

"Really, you've just got to be in the field to win, right?" Fowler said. "If you're in the field you've got a chance. I don't see any reason why it couldn't be done. There's no rule that says it can't be your first win.''

The 2010 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year has done everything but win in the 18 months since he turned pro. In his last amateur start, he finished second in a Nationwide Tour event in 2009. He finished seventh and second in his first two PGA Tour starts to earn temporary membership. He earned his card at qualifying school and took off from there.

"It's definitely been a whirlwind. Been pretty quick," he said. "There are some fast tracks to the PGA Tour, and there are some guys that may take a few more years. I was lucky enough to get here a little bit quicker."

In his rookie year, he posted seven top-10 finishes, including runner-ups at Phoenix and the Memorial. He was such a force that Corey Pavin made him the first Ryder Cup captain's pick in history without a career win."I had a gut feeling about Rickie," Pavin said.

That feeling panned out when Fowler birdied the last four holes of his singles match to earn a half point against Edoardo Molinari and give the Americans a chance to win. It was a clutch performance that boosted his confidence.

The same way Zach Johnson credited his Ryder Cup experience in 2006 for helping him win the 2007 Masters, Fowler feels he's ready for whatever any major has in store for him.

"To be in the situation and to hit the shots and make the putts that I did, it definitely gave me confidence," Fowler said. "The way I swung it down the stretch there, the putts that I did make -- to make those especially under the circumstances and pressure with everyone watching, you can only walk away with confidence. There's not much difference than a major."

Fowler has not shied away from the hype that greeted him as a rookie. He appeals to younger kids with his flashy style, but he signs autographs and takes his status as a role model seriously.

"It's cool to be looked at like that as a professional athlete or possibly small celebrity," he said. "It's cool to get noticed. Obviously, I want to be a good role model for my fans and young kids in the game of golf, and trying to get possibly more people interested in the game of golf."

His game is the most impressive.

Eschewing the mechanical habits that most young golfers have drilled in them today, Fowler is an old-school feel player with immense skills and an aggressive nature reminiscent of Phil Mickelson.

He has four top-20 finishes in seven starts this year, including reaching the quarterfinals of the WGC-Match Play Championship.

"I really didn't look at last year as my first year out," he said. "It was my rookie season, but I had played a few times before that. I played two U.S. Opens as an amateur, and felt like that was more of where I was starting. Last year it was just nice to get a full year out here and get going. I'm just looking to have another good time this year, and hopefully get my first PGA Tour win."

He comes to Augusta National with no preconceived notions or expectations.

"People have tried to single out one thing that I might be looking forward to most," Fowler said of the Masters. "There's not really one thing I can think of that really sticks out in my mind. It's kind of the whole experience -- driving down Magnolia Lane, playing in the Par-3 Contest, playing practice rounds, first tee on Thursday, the whole week. Just looking forward to the whole experience."

If things go right, Fowler might have the opportunity to earn that first PGA Tour win and make history at the same time.

Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219 orscott.michaux@augustachronicle.com.